The story of a failed betrayal In this production, everyone worked for glory. Although Manfred Jung, who plays the main role, usually specialized in the lyrical repertoire, it was the invincible Siegfried who became his crown part. Although he is inferior in places to Windgassen and Collo, it is impossible to say that Jung somewhere does not cope with Siegfried’s party – everything is at a good level. As you know, two years earlier, Boulez performed the same opera with the same singers, but in the title role was Rene Collo. Of course, if you could sing Collo here, it would be even better, but it's okay. After all, recordings from Collo performances exist, although the recording quality there is much lower.
The work of Boulez himself as a conductor is excellent. Dynamically, but neatly, the orchestra nowhere sounds like warehouses or lubricated, the maximum emotional content of each phrase. The moment of Brunhilda’s awakening is especially good, the balance of the orchestra is built there, how strong the atmosphere of the birth of a new reality is just marvelous! The production is quite traditional in the Shero style, although Siegfried is less “modern” than some other operas of the series, for example, The Death of the Gods. The production in such gray tones looks not so much actualized as neutral, which is perfectly combined with the neat style of conducting Boulez. The only thing that seemed strange and unattractive to me was Erda wrapped in a sheet. In this episode, I prefer the decision of the Mariinsky Theatre with a costume resembling a huge clock hand.
The other performers did no less well. Especially beautiful are the treacherous, cowardly Mime and the passive but benevolent Wanderer. Nordic Gwyneth Jones also performs the part of the awakening Brungilda perfectly. The scene of the contest in wisdom is simply set sparklingly. Bravo, Cednick, McIntyre and Shero! Bravo, Maestro Boulez!
10 out of 10